|
The Quest began in March of 2009. A team of ophthalmologists called Amigo’s based at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon diagnosed 300 patients with cataracts at an eye clinic in Chivay, Peru. These patients represented about 20% of all the patients seen by Amigos. Many of them were old and infirm having lived their entire life at high altitude as alpaca shepherds. The eye doctors could not help them.
Quechua Benefit began making trips, like the one above, to Peru in 1996. Since then they have seen more than 50,000 patients, dental and medical, in more than 40 Andean towns from Chivay to Macusani. QB also supports 2 feeding or hot meal operations, 3 orphanages and has provided disaster relief almost annually to the highlands. Quechua Benefit is currently building an orphanage for 100 children in the Colca Valley. The charity is supported by alpaca breeders worldwide who want to give back to an ancient Quechua people who are one of the most underserved indigenous peoples in the world.
After the Amigo’s trip the Quechua Benefit directors decided to add cataract surgeries to their wish list and seek a surgeon or surgeons to operate on these often forgotten peasants. A data base of potential patients was built and a cry for help was sent out around the world via the QB Newsletter. Australia answered.
An email from Ian Davison, president of the Australian Alpaca Association (AAA) appeared in the Quechua Benefit inbox. Ian pledged to put a team of 5 surgeons and 5 nurses together to go to Peru. Since then he has enlisted the endorsement of the AAA and backing from the Ramsay Group of private hospitals. Our prayers were answered.
The team of Optometrists renamed the Ramsay AAA team, aka “RAAAT’s”, they will arrive in Peru in May 2010. Quechua Benefit will host the Aussies as part of their QB Ambassadors program. We will provide ground transportation, lodging and food. Dr Wilfredo Uscamayta, a Quechua Benefit board member in Peru, will obtain all of the government approvals necessary for the team to bring equipment, and medicine and the authority to operate. Dr Willy has arranged for the health clinic in Chivay to host the surgeons.
One of the goals of our Ambassadors program is to open the hearts of the volunteers toward the Quechua people through their selfless service. Alpaca breeders who care for their alpacas at high altitude are particularly vulnerable to cataract disease. There is no shortage of need. We welcome the RAAAT’s to what we hope to be the first of many trips to Peru.
Please read this article Insight Peru published by Dr. Ian Davison.
|
